Italy is home to some of the world’s best skiing resorts and runs. Whether you’re looking for a classic or something a little more off-piste, you’ll find it with our guide to ski resorts in Italy.
The highest ski resorts in Italy
One of the most magical parts of any skiing trip is breathing crisp mountain air and looking out at the incredible views the altitude provides. If altitude is at the top of your ski resort priorities, look no further.
BreuilCervinia Ski Resort
Sitting between 2,050 and 3,488 metres, the Breuil-Cervinia Ski Resort is not only one of the highest ski resorts in Italy but one of the highest resorts in Europe. The resort is home to an incredible 300 kilometres of pisted slopes. It sits on the Italian side of the famous Matterhorn (known as Monte Cervino in Italy). More advanced skiers can even ski down to the Swiss village of Zermatt and take the chairlift back up to Breuil-Cervinia.
BreuilCervinia Ski Resort: quick facts
Due to its altitude, Breuil-Cervinia Ski Resort is Italy’s most snow-sure resort, and they guarantee excellent snow from November through to May. It is even sometimes able to open in summer. Between November and May, the temperatures average between -14°C and 0°C. The slopes can also be quite exposed to wind, though they also get a lot of good sunshine.
Valtournenche
Breuil-Cervinia interlinks with Valtourneche, whose lifts reach an altitude of 3,500 metres. This resort is an excellent option for beginners, with around 150 kilometres of beginner runs. Like Breuil-Cervinia, it’s snow sure throughout winter, and temperatures are similar.
Monterosa
Monterosa’sskiable terrain reaches elevations just under 3,000 metres, and the area’s location provides incredible views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. It gets excellent, reliable snow coverage and temperatures average between around -7°C and -11°C.
The best ski resorts in Italy for families
A skiing trip is a fantastic option for a family holiday, but it can be a little daunting for young kids to strap a pair of skis on for the first time. If you’ve got young kids taking their first skiing trip, you can find the perfect resort for them to learn a new skill and fall in love with the sport.
Livigno
Livigno is close to the Swiss Border, which is excellent for families and young children taking their first skiing holiday (and if you’ve got a snowboarder in the family, it has some great options for them too). The resort offers skiing lessons for young children and a kinderclub for kids over three. Plus, with a kids’ fun park, separate kids’ areas and a rubber dinghy slope, kids can have tons of fun. Outside of skiing, they also offer horse riding and snowmobile tours, paragliding and duty-free luxury shopping.
Livigno: quick facts
Livigno gets reliable snow in December and January, but you can usually ski there as late as April. It sits at an altitude of 1,816 metres, and temperatures average between -5°C and -15°C in winter.
Alta Badia
Alta Badia is another excellent option for families with a mix of gentle beginner slopes and intermediate slopes. It sits at an elevation of around 2,500 metres, and most of the resort is above 1,800 metres, so it is a reliably snow-sure resort. Temperatures average between about -9°C and -1°C during winter.
Alpe di Siusi
Close to Val Gardena, Alpe di Siusi is an excellent family-friendly resort with ski schools, kids’ parks, tours for kids and excellent snow parks for snowboarders. Plus, you can lower the risk of a disappointing snow day since all its slopes are equipped with snowmaking facilities, ensuring good conditions from December to March. Its altitude range is between 1,680 to 2,350 metres, and temperatures average between -9°C and 0°C.
Ski resorts in Northern Italy
Northern Italy includes some of the best skiing regions in Italy, with the Aosta Valley and Lombardy being just some of the regions home to incredible ski resorts. With the Dolomites dominating the region, there’s never any shortage of new places to try. The area welcomes all skiers, from absolute beginners to seasoned pros.
Val Gardena, Groden
Val Gardena is often hailed as one of the best ski resorts in Italy, popular with beginners, families and professional skiers. One of its best-known features is the La Longia run, a 10.5-kilometre run that sticks to a steady gradient as it makes the 1,300-metre altitude drop. Although it’s well known, the resort is huge, so it usually doesn’t get too overcrowded, even in peak season. There is also a range of accommodation options with three main villages and a few smaller ones in the area.
Val Gardena: quick facts
Val Gardena is one of the best options for intermediate skiers, with a wide range of intermediate piste trails. You can ski verticals of around 500 to 800 metres, and you can ski the full altitude of 1,300 metres at Seceda. Temperatures average between -1°C and -11°C, and the region is snow-sure throughout winter.
Ski resorts in Italy: Dolomites
The Dolomites are one of Italy’s most iconic natural landmarks, visited by tourists worldwide throughout the year. They’re a fantastic hiking location in summer, and in winter, they’re a wonderland for skiers. The Dolomiti Superski area stretches across 12 valleys and over 1200 kilometres of pisted trails, and you can access it all on one lift pass. The above-mentioned Val Gardena is the biggest ski resort in the Dolomites, but the mountains have plenty more to offer.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina d’Ampezzo is part of the Dolomiti Superski and one of the most popular resorts for locals and tourists. You can choose between low-cost bed and breakfasts and luxury cottages with personal spas. The resort has a range of slopes for beginners to experts and some fantastic cross-country ski trails. It’s also known for its great nightlife and restaurants, so it’s easy to kick back and relax after a fun day on the slopes.
Cortina d’Ampezzo: quick facts
Cortinod’Ampezzo hasn’t had full coverage snowfall in recent years, but don’t worry. They’ve invested in snowmaking to make up the difference, so you should find all the runs well covered during winter. It sits at 1,224 metres, and temperatures average between -11°C and 0°C in winter. It’s also one of the best options for more advanced skiers, with some super challenging couloirs.
Madonna di Campiglio
A slightly lesser-known (though growing in popularity) gem in the dolomites is Madonna di Campiglio in the Brenta Dolomites. It sits between 1,522 and 2,600 metres and gets reliable snow coverage throughout winter. The average temperatures are a little warmer than some resorts, hovering between -5°C and 1°C. Plus, throughout December and into early January, the town lights up in Christmas lights and holiday decorations.
Val di Fassa
Val di Fassa is also part of the Dolomiti Superski, and it’s one of the best options on this list for advanced, serious skiers. It’s elevated between 1,200 and 2,636 metres and gets good snow coverage. In the heart of the alps, average winter temperatures can get as low as -10°C and as high as 20°C when the sun’s out.
Best ski resorts in Italy for beginners
Are you an absolute beginner who’s never even seen snow before? Or are you not yet fully confident in your newfound hobby? Never fear; you can find ski resorts in Italy with gentle runs and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Many resorts have schools and teachers available. So whether you’re a beginner or trying to introduce friends and family to the hobby, you can rest assured knowing you’re in capable hands.
La Thuile
La Thuile has some fantastic wide beginner slopes, and once you’re confident on those, you can hit one of their many blue runs. The slopes usually aren’t too crowded, so you’ll have plenty of space to learn the basics from one of their excellent instructors. Because the resort is mainly geared towards beginners and intermediate skiers, you’ll likely find many other visitors who are beginners like you, and the environment is very encouraging. This resort offers excellent value for money, and it’s interlinked with the La Rosiere Ski Resort in France (which is also beginner friendly!).
La Thuile: quick facts
La Thuile isn’t just an excellent resort for total beginner skiers; it’s also a great place for intermediate skiers to learn off-piste skiing. This is because many off-piste areas are at fairly low angles, so there’s nothing too scary. Situated in the Aosta Valley, La Thuile’s main town area is mostly in the shade during winter, and the average temperature is around -7°C to 0°C during winter. The resort sits at an altitude of 1,450 metres and has good reliability for snow cover.
Ski Resort Pila Italy
Pila is one of the best ski resorts in the Aosta valley region, with multiple blue slopes and ski schools. The resort is well sheltered on all sides, so there usually isn’t too much wind, making conditions very favourable for beginner skiers. When you need a break from skiing, explore the city of Aosta and its ancient ruins, including Porta Pretoria, the Ancient Roman gate to the city. Don’t miss the opportunity to have dinner at the La Baraka restaurant with an incredible view overlooking the Alps.
Pila Ski Resort: quick facts
The first thing to note about Pila is that it’s often super busy on weekends during peak season but quieter during the week, so plan accordingly. The highest peak sits at around 1,800 metres (you can make a 1,200 metre run from Couis 1), and the resort has reliable snow coverage during winter. Temperatures in winter average between -10°C and 3°C.
Ski resorts in Italian Alps
From the Dolomites to Mont Blanc, the Italian Alps is home to some of Europe’s most iconic mountains. Between Meran and Sterzing in South Tyrol, you can find one of Italy’s best ski resorts.
Racines-Giovo, South Tyrol
The Racines-Giovo resort sits between the Jaufen Pass and the Saxner with a gondola lift that takes you up to the slopes. The resort has wide, well-kept slopes, a snow-park and a children’s area. There are also plenty of hiking paths, excellent restaurants and a five-kilometre-long toboggan run. The slopes are primarily for intermediate skiers, but there are a few beginner and advanced options too.
Racines-Giovo: quick facts
The resort sits at an altitude of around 1,300 metres and is typically snow-sure throughout winter. There are about 25 kilometres of pistes and eight lift facilities.
Temperatures hover between -10°C and 10°C throughout late autumn to early spring.
Cheapest ski resorts in Italy
A ski holiday doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. In Italy, you can find excellent, affordable ski resorts that let you focus on having a great time. This is an excellent option for skiers who want to take longer holidays or repeated trips without spending too much.
Madesimo, Lombardy
The Lombardy region is sometimes overlooked by the avid skiers who flock to The Dolomites, but they’re well worth a visit and often much more affordable. Madesimo is around two and a half hours from Milan and is excellent for both beginners and more advanced skiers. They have a variety of runs with both piste and off-piste areas, so advanced skiers can challenge themselves. In addition, they offer affordable accommodation, and as a lesser known area, it’s easier to book something inexpensive at the last minute.
Madesimo: quick facts
Madesimo gets reliable snowfall and has a super long skiable vertical at 1,350 metres. The temperature averages around -14°C to -3°C in winter. While beginners may want to spend less to try out skiing for the first time, you may be better off with Pila or La Thuile; Madesimo is more geared towards intermediate and advanced skiers. From Madesimo, it’s easy to head into Switzerland and try some of the more expensive ski resort options like St Moritz.
Ski resorts in Italy near Geneva
Madesimo is one way to find your way into Switzerland, but there are plenty of options along the Swiss-Italy border. Switzerland and Italy are both home to amazing ski resorts, so if you’re looking to start in Switzerland and head to Italy or hop back and forth between the two countries (or even to France), picking a ski resort near Geneva is a great start.
Courmayeur
Around one and a half hours from Geneva, Courmayeur is a gorgeous ski resort that sits at the foot of Mont Blanc and includes a mix of slopes for all types of skiers. For more advanced skiers, you can hire a guide to take you through some off-piste areas, while beginners can stick to the green and blue runs. The town of Courmayeur itself is full of narrow streets that come alive at night. If you exhaust all the slopes at Courmayeur, you can head through the Mont Blanc tunnel to the nearby French ski resort of Chamonix.
Courmayeur: quick facts
The longest skiable vertical at Courmayeur is 1,545 metres, and there’s an intermediate run that’s just over 1,400 metres. You can access the resort by cable car from Courmayeur or the nearby bases of Dolonne and Entreves. The average temperatures hover between -6°C and 0°C in winter. Courmayeur is also super close to La Thuile, and Pila in Italy and the famous Chamonix area in France is easily accessible by bus.
